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Prednisone issues...onto metho....?!...and possible Celiacs

So I've been on plaquenil since 2008 and tried pain meds, Nsaids, etc. Things got worse after my last pregnancy which I delivered in Sept of 2010. I started having Pleurisy issues after that. I've tried to come off the Prednisone a few times now. The first time I had a flare up, the 2nd time I got withdrawals I guess because my adrenals weren't kicking in and I was having adrenal gland "failure" symptoms. Currently I'm on 5.5mg of Pred and due to drop another mg this Tuesday. My rheumy had said if my pain persisted we would try Methotrexate and then in the future if need be we would try Benlysta. So I guess I'm trying to prepare myself for my first "chemo trip" and just wanted to know everyone's experiences/suggestions, etc.

On prednisone I have not gained weight at all in fact i've lost it. I only weigh 97lbs and cannot gain anything. I was told over a year ago that I have IBS and GERD but nothing was every said beyond having IBS. Is there a treatment for it? I recently saw my rheumy and she suggested being tested for Celiacs due to my inability to gain weight despite what I try to do as far as diet etc. I am allergic to soy/barley and many other weeds, grasses, pets, feathers, etc etc. Also allergic to chemicals in sunscreen and highly allergic to black walnut trees. So I am waiting on the lab results for the specific Celiac tests and if they're negative I'm assuming I have allergies to foods and need to avoid them which would put me on a gluten free diet anyway due to the barley allergy. BUT the big dilemma is the soy....literally everything almost is made with soy in it. So what in the heck do I eat???? Anyone with this problem? So bummed out because I look like some drug head and I'm not....don't drink or smoke or anything....Lupus just makes me look bad lol....Help!

The only thing I can contribute, is that MTX has really helped me with the pain. Since you have tummy issues, I would ask the rheumy for MTX shots, instead of the pills.
I don't really have stomach issues, ( I do when a flare starts), but when I took MTX pills, I was nauseated for days and my stomach was cramping. After I switched to the shots, I have no stomach problems with the MTX.

Debbie

I may have been dealt a bad hand, but at least I'm still playing with a full deck. ( most of the time anyway).

Thank you for the advice. I have one question, when it comes to the MTX shots, do they still provide systemic relief verses a localized injection? Thanks again all.

-Lupie Brittanee

I don't really understand your question ( alot of brain fog today).
I inject the MTX into my thigh, some people prefer the tummy, but I feel relief in my entire body, mostly the joints.
It took about three months, until I felt better.

Debbie

I may have been dealt a bad hand, but at least I'm still playing with a full deck. ( most of the time anyway).

No problem!

Originally Posted by debbie-b

I don't really understand your question ( alot of brain fog today).
I inject the MTX into my thigh, some people prefer the tummy, but I feel relief in my entire body, mostly the joints.
It took about three months, until I felt better.

Debbie

Despite the brain fog I re-read my post and get how it doesn't or wouldn't make sense lol I just meant that since the shot was given in one spot did it only alleviate the symptoms to that area(i.e. a joint, etc)....maybe I have brain fog too cuz it was kind of a stupid question lol.....I do hurt though and my tummy has been off today....blah. My face burns and i'm exhausted....see brain fog...i read the last part of your post just now to respond and thought it said "I took it about 3 month, until I felt better" meaning I thought you had stopped it....good thing I read it 2 more times!! LOL....I was about to say well how did ya feel after you stopped it?? HAHA....ugh okay, time for bed! Thank you Lupus and the time change! LOL Hope you are feeling okay today. And thanks again for the info.

I take MTX tablets and had about 18 hours of stomach issues with it for the first couple of months. I take it at night so the worst is over when I wake up. As for the shots and systemic vs local the answer is yes, it works like the pills it just doesn't settle in your stomach to cause issues.

MariSuccess is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

Hi! I have some issues with my stomach too but haven't really found the MTX to effect that. I take 20mg a week and split that dose over 2 days because i found that it was making me more sore on the nights that i was taking them. Now i have no issues with it (that i know of!). I am no longer on prednisolone and have been off it for 6 months now without any symptoms. I am left with MTX and plaquenil and it seems to have settled everything right down. Having said that though i have been on both of these medications for nearly 2 years now....wow when i write that i cant believe how long its been since i was first diagnosed!
Anyway your rheumy will know whats best for you. Good luck!